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Paradise not lost
No harm painting a utopian idyllic image. Thousands of miles from the metros, a boarding school nestled in the lap of nature, up in the Shivalik Hills: an environment conducive to produce strict disciplinarians with a questioning mind, striving for excellency, a place where a hunger for knowledge’s supposed to be the cult, a ‘way of life.’ And suddenly, the most mechanical sounding headlines, ‘Seven Sanawar students brutally beat up nine juniors’ etc, assault the fragile human psyche. Mind you, the dust’s yet to settle over Aman Kachroo: was it ragging or was it bullying? Way off. That’s not the question.
Is violence the ‘it’ culture on school campuses? Are the ‘errant’ individuals one-off cases of pervert behaviour, or should boarders, boarding schools and the senior-junior equation share the blame too? “Whatever happened out there is not the school culture, it’s more to do with what they were before rather than what the school or boarding culture did to them,” says Mohanmeet Khosla, chairperson, School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, herself an alumnus of Lawrence School, Sanawar. The seven allegedly beat up their juniors after they failed to cheer the team at a basketball match. Who doesn’t kick or yell? But hockey sticks, iron rods, leather belts? Dr. K.L.Garg, consultant psychiatrist, opines, “Now, it is out in the open, youngsters are much active in every field, naturally in violence too.” Agrees, Mohanmeet, “They all seem to be on a short fuse these days, don’t know if it’s a one-off case or the beginning of a trend.” Youth and violence is a done-to-death discussion, did anyone ever allude to boarding schools? Sanjay Dutt and Manu Sharma are among those who carry the image of boarding school ‘brats’. “The connection is not so much with boarding schools as it is with inflated egos. These cases are of high-profile people who had powerful parents. That invariably lends to a feeling that one can get away with a lot of things, if not everything,” says Dr Garg. Competitive prefect customs, sports, studies, mess, with a 24x7 collective existence, the area of zone widens for conflict. Questions, Dr. Harpreet Kanwal Chhabra, chairperson, Department of Psychology, Panjab University, “But don’t they do that with their siblings also, at home? There’s no need to blame boarding schools, but in hostels, at times, there’s a severe clash of the value systems, so many students together from different backgrounds.” She adds, “In boarding schools, the parents are not there. There’s no one to support or guide as a parent would.” Reveals Deep Sodhi, B. Com, student, alumnus, Welham Girls, “Somewhere, I agree, boarders learn to break the rules, wriggle their way out of everything. There’s aggression, but it never reached the ‘culpable homicide’ stage.” In the by now notorious incident, one of the victims had
completely his perforated eardrums. Adds Dr Garg, “A lot also depends on the environment of hostels also. Is it love or rod that prevails?” Actually, the army-inspired schedule is an advantage in many ways. Recalls Mohanmeet, “We used to get up at six, then have PT, classes, homework, games, hobbies, and lights would be out at eight, no doubt, we had a regimented existence, but that is to shape well-rounded personalities. At least, in the girls’ wing this was just not the case.” Says Aman Bir Singh, of the Hot Millions group, “Throughout my time at Sanawar, nothing of the sort ever happened. I even have my children studying there, but talking of this particular case, violence to this extent is just not acceptable.” Yeah, that’s right, violence to this extent is not acceptable. Violence to any extent is unacceptable.
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Fashion blues
Opening this week the "Models as Muse" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, traces high fashion and its models from post-World War II haute couture to grunge and minimalism of the 1990s, with iconic photographs, magazine covers, advertisements, clothes, music and film clips to illustrate each distinctive era. The show explores the power of clothing, fashion photography and models to project images of beauty over the years, its curators said at a preview for the media. “Its timeline begins in the golden age of sophisticated haute couture, which gave way to the youth-oriented 1960s,followed by the glamorous supermodel era that ended in grunge, the antithesis of glamour. That last shift shattered earlier conceptions of beauty,leaving today's ideals more diverse and inclusive than ever before,” said Kohle Yohannan, guest co-curator."In the end we're reassembling the pieces, like apost-modern jigsaw puzzle," he said, adding: "Women are more included in the visual culture today, all races, all ages."I think this show will encourage women to take a bow, each and every type that they are, each and every race, each and every size," he said.Yohannan, an author and cultural historian, curated the show with Harold Koda, curator in charge of The Costume Institute. “While fashionistas will likely savor every nuance, the fashion illiterate will recognise the aristocratic Dorian Leigh, Twiggy, Peggy Moffitt in a topless bathing suit by Rudi Gernreich, the athletic Cheryl Tiegs and Christie Brinkley, supermodels Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer, waifish Kate Moss and lithe Gisele Bundchen. Each era of fashion illustrates the social changes that were occurring at the time and helped to shape the idealisedtypes of feminine beauty,” Yohannan said.
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After Hollywood actor Halle Berry, Jennifer Connelly and Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel is the new global brand ambassador of cosmetic company Revlon. "Jessica is a beautiful woman and an accomplished actor. Her modern and youthful spirit play to the essence of the brand," said Alan T. Ennis, Revlon's president and CEO. In addition to being featured in upcoming global advertising campaigns, Biel will also be involved with various philanthropic activities and fund raising events. "I'm honoured to be associated with this strong global brand and to be part of a company that has done so much for women around the world. It represents today's modern woman," said Biel. Biel, 27, has featured in movies like Summer Catch and The Illusionist. — IANS
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Nine months of fashion & festoon
Showcasing fancy clothes for women, specially designed for those nine months of pregnancy. This event, which is into its fourth year, was organized by a leading publications group. Bollywood actor Payal Rohatgi was the highlight of the evening. After the show, Rohatgi crowned the winners and gave them her best wishes. The winner of the show, Gunjan was thrilled after walking down the ramp. "This programme was very good and the pregnant women got a chance to walk down the ramp for the first time. It was a great feeling for me walking down the ramp," said Gunjan. The contest was the culmination of a fashion show and party bash for expectant mothers. — ANI
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Hot couture
For the beauties... Keep it cool and casual to beat the heat, so that you and your wardobe don’t have to sweat it out to look stylish. Two good pair of jeans will take you through the season. In summers, fashion becomes a bit revealing, not just for the sake of sun but also for fun. See through tops, ganjis, one shoulders tops, halters, will keep it subtle and interesting. Flowing silhouettes and cool colours like pastels, aquas and lime are refreshing. Though white will remains a classic favourite. Accessories haven’t gone for a change, so stock up bracelets to asymmetrical bangles to cuffs. Everything works from geometric to ethnic. Caps and sunglasses are a smart buy for summer wardrobe Keep it natural with no-make look. For hair, keep them short, if not, then just keep them casually tied-up in a ponytail or bun. Let your feet breath, chappals, ballerinas, which are still very much present, or gladiator sandals for a trendier look will work smartly.
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...and brawn
While those not worried about the tanned look, can flaunt their muscles with ganjis, or add the cool factor with cropped waist jackets that are back with vengeance, or bombers, without adding to the bulk of clothes. Get sporty and adventurous with your look for an easy, comfortable style direction. With three fourths, loose-fit tees, shorts, and ganjis coming as handy options More casual yet comfort rules with tailored shorts, or refined cuts for a distinguished look. Short crops go for men as well, keep those summer hair troubles at bay. Cuts and fits are lean, go for the rustic look with batik jumpers or
hoodies. Try out subtle colour cards, textured fabrics and crisp cottons for a show stopping finish. And the most important tip of them all, wear you attitude and the rest will |
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Social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace might be a great way of meeting new people, but they are turning British people into introverts, a new survey has found. In the study led by market research company Mintel, over 50 pct of the adults revealed that they spend more time chatting online than they do actually speaking to friends and family. The researchers found that people were making fewer phone calls, sending fewer texts and emails, watching less television and spending less time on computer games.Half of British internet surfers have signed up to at least one social networking site, compared to 27 per cent in France, 33 per cent in Japan, and 40 per cent in the US. “Britain has undoubtedly become a nation of Facebook addicts,” the Telegraph quoted a Mintel spokesman as saying. The firm believes that the recession is likely to boost the popularity of social networking sites, as people would use them to stay in touch. The report revealed that one in five people who use the sites are “constantly checking” for new messages and updates. Moreover, one in 10 admitted that they had added a person as a “friend” on a site, without ever knowing them in real life. —ANI
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Fab fair
In the home furnishings, here you can pick kalamkari rugs, tablecloths, jute accessories and bags and chappals too. It also offers a 20 per cent discount on all items. In accessories, handicraft lovers and collectors can shop for the famous lakh bangles from Jaipur, vibrantly embellished items like jewellery boxes and mirrors. Silver and white metal items too make for an attractive display. Organised by the All India handloom handicrafts welfare association, the exhibition brings the buyer and the weaver on one platform. And for the price range it starts at Rs 400 and goes up to Rs 5000. — TNS On till May 12
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TONE
The UT Police might have solved the PU laptop theft case, nevertheless the incident raised many questions. Those involved were alleged to have been shielded by students and hostellers themselves. Laptop, cell phones, cash, documents, there’s actually a lot at stake under the safety of just one lock. Anything in particular campus goers are doing to guard their prized possessions? No Sharing
Benu Walia,
MCA student, GGDSD college-32 Trouble out side
Amrit Pal Singh,
Applied artist, Govt Arts college-10 No problem
Sarbshaktiman Singh,
French student, PU
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Would-be-mothers sashay down the ramp in style
Back on campus, some carry style in their DNA, but the other lesser mortals need not fret. With some cool and casual fashion tips for this summer, style in the sweltering sun can come easy, without that extra flow of sweat. So, go for the kill, sans the second thoughts.
Thank god men fashion is not as frivolous by nature than their fairer counterparts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep it stylish. The mantra is to keep it as simple as crisp cotton shirts paired with jeans and light on feet.
Another collection of cotton and silk fabrics will keep you hooked to shopping with a wide range of stuff to pick up from. The ongoing Cotton and silk fab exhibition at Lajpat Rai Bhavan-15, offers handlooms from Andhra Pradesh, Lucknow, MP, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and many other states. On display is cotton, silk, bhagalpuri, chiken, banarasi and chanderi fabric. In prints the evergreen batik and block prints can be picked.
Mostly, hostel life is all about sharing things. You can’t keep everything locked up. But, since the recent case has got people thinking, one must ensure safety by keeping a personal locker and being more alert. One thing that can work is to stop lending your belongings to faint acquaintances. 
Involving outsiders in hostel life can be unsafe on many accounts and the incident proved it yet again. Often some pass outs or relatives of your roommate, or even remote friends come and stay in hostel and you cannot avoid them. So, one has to be awared and responsible for your own things. Lock the room, and don’t share your keys with anyone. 
Most of the times, it is not only outsiders but hostel insiders that are responsible. Though, there is no such panic situation, things in general are under control. Safety lapses do keep happening everywhere once in a while, so not much should be drawn out of this case. But yeah, one should be careful enough to avoid thefts and petty incidents from happening again.